Euro 2020 (21)

[Arthur Crabtree]

At last. Penalties.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Amazing. Pressure will do that.

[sussexpob]

Feel bad for Mbappé. Someone has to miss I guess, but he's an insanely talented young lad...hope this don't get in his head for the future.

What a game for the Swiss though. Played well, gave France problems. Great match full stop.

This tournament is wide open for England now if they win tomorrow.

[bigfluffylemon]

Mbappe trudging off all by himself was a pretty sad sight. Covid and all, but his team mates wouldn't even look at him, let alone comfort him. Social distancing doesn't seem to be relevant when you're celebrating.

Sometimes you can tell someone might miss. Something about the body language when they walk to the spot. I'm sure keepers can read it. For professionals, penalties are almost entirely about keeping your nerve, as a perfectly delivered penalty (that any pro should be capable of) gives the keeper practically no chance.

Tournament is indeed wide open. So no doubt England will blow it tonight. You'd have to fancy the winner of England Germany to face the winner of Italy Belgium in the final, on paper, but it seems anything can happen...

[Durhamfootman]

Well that was a night by the looks of it

don't expect equally high entertainment tonight

[Gingerfinch]

Well that was a night by the looks of it

don't expect equally high entertainment tonight

I'll take a 1-0.

I really saw the Spain - Croatia games as a drab draw but how wrong was I?

[sussexpob]

Mbappe trudging off all by himself was a pretty sad sight. Covid and all, but his team mates wouldn't even look at him, let alone comfort him. Social distancing doesn't seem to be relevant when you're celebrating

The live camera cut to him late. The Belgian coverage showed the whole thing after in the studio, and Marcus Thuram actually sprints over to him with the rest behind him, but Mbappe puts his hand up to indicate he needs a few moments alone. So a few then pat him on the back, but I think they must have noticed and left him to be.

[bigfluffylemon]

Mbappe trudging off all by himself was a pretty sad sight. Covid and all, but his team mates wouldn't even look at him, let alone comfort him. Social distancing doesn't seem to be relevant when you're celebrating

The live camera cut to him late. The Belgian coverage showed the whole thing after in the studio, and Marcus Thuram actually sprints over to him with the rest behind him, but Mbappe puts his hand up to indicate he needs a few moments alone. So a few then pat him on the back, but I think they must have noticed and left him to be.

Fair enough, then, I guess.

Poor guy.

[Gingerfinch]

Three at the back with wing backs to counter Germany's. Too defensive? Southgate will no doubt come in for some flak if we lose but in his defence, he is his own man.

[alfie]

Have to feel for the poor beggar who misses in a penalty shootout. Often is someone who rarely takes one but at least has the guts to take the responsibility (thinking of the current England boss twenty five years ago , for example)

Not the case this time , of course : but even the best can fail on occasion under all that pressure. And it must be horrible to feel you've effectively lost your team the match.

Glad to note Mbappe's teammates indeed treated him with proper respect and compassion. He will come back strong.

Two games like that - wow. Wonder what England and Germany will have for us now...

[Durhamfootman]

Three at the back with wing backs to counter Germany's. Too defensive? Southgate will no doubt come in for some flak if we lose but in his defence, he is his own man.

aye, and put 2 defensive mids in front of them

I don't mind that against a top team, but it irritates me a lot when he does it against Scotland, or Monaco, or San Marino

The Rice interview where he says they have played the same way throughout was illuminating, I thought. It suggests this was worked out weeks ago and it's the only way they are going to play no matter what. If something needs to change to win a game like Denmark did the other night, don't hold your breath waiting for it. It's like Corporal Jones in the rugby..... the same entrenched view that this is the right way, it must be..... we worked it out on the computer 2 weeks a go, even when it clearly isn't working

Hey... it might work tonight. I'll be down the allotment, so I'll find out later

[sussexpob]

Three at the back with wing backs to counter Germany's. Too defensive? Southgate will no doubt come in for some flak if we lose but in his defence, he is his own man.

aye, and put 2 defensive mids in front of them

Sigh...

Everyone in the world says Germany are specifically vulnerable to counter attacks, and you need to play a CM with a dynamic range of passing and who gets quick ball when you break.

He plays someone who can only pass sideways instead.

[Durhamfootman]

they were shown to be particularly vulnerable against Hungary in the last game. There were times when Hungary sparkled and Germany looked ponderous


still........ Southgate won't have known that when he worked out his formations back in December

England might batter Germany tonight and then I'll just look foolish

[Arthur Crabtree]

England doing ok. Going to ground rather easily though.

Crowd behaving like arses.

[sussexpob]

England doing ok. Going to ground rather easily though.

Crowd behaving like arses.

Both DMs have yellow cards. Id give you good odds of a red card second half.

England have been better. Germany have been very poor..... but we are paying them so much respect. Time to be positive and take them on Gareth! They are there to be beaten.